Shot these with the 20x HD lens plus 1.6x extender. There was a bit of wind making a decent breeze, so I set OIS on even though mounted on sticks (after all there would be no panning, and zoom was already at full telephoto). Image #0508 was f/5.0 at 1/60th, 0db and does not show the moons, but is properly exposed for Jupiter's planetary disc (the yellowish color is just right). Image #0519 was f/5.0 at 1/4th, 0db. Planetary detail is completely lost, but clearly visible are Jupiter's four largest moons, Io, Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. The two focus assist features of the XL H1 were very useful for making these images!

Don't just look at the thumbnails; you gotta click on 'em to open them up as full-size images... and then view them at full size, 100% or 1:1 viewing size to see what I'm talking about here.

If I had an even longer zoom, then it would have been possible to resolve Jupiter's major cloud bands. By the way, f/5.0 is the maximum aperture available with the 1.6x extender and 20x lens at full telephoto.

Awesome, Chris! I wouldn't have thought a video camera would have that much reach. Mars and Saturn are currently evening stars in the Western sky...care to give them a go, too?

__________________Pete BauerThe most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert EinsteinTrying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

Hmm, resolving Saturn's rings? Depends on their current declination relative to our POV, I guess... gotta research that before I drag the tripod out again... dang it, Pete, I was all set to call it a night until you posted.

*edit* oops, it's already set... will try tomorrow night, should be above the horizon for a few hours after sundown. As for Mars, I'll bet the color will shine, but I doubt it can resolve as a disc. We'll find out though!

In case you don't already have it bookmarked, S&T has quick links for a pretty slick Java sky chart, and an Almanac that shows upcoming ISS passes, among much more.

Well, I fell asleep on the sofa this evening which is why I'm awake now...but time to hit the rack.

__________________Pete BauerThe most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert EinsteinTrying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

Chris, that's awesome! I have the 1.6x extender and a 1.6x teleconverter I had modified by Century Optics (DVX to XLH1). There's lots of CA but hell, I should try the combo out on this....we haven't had a clear day in Seattle for a week now and it's not looking any better next week :(

Do you have the Canon 35mm adaptor? I bought one for the Xl1 years ago just for doing close-ups of the sun and moon, which I used with a 300mm still camera lens. But I found I had to shoot everything at f9.5 or higher to get a sharp image at full tele, so would that mean there'd be far too little light even with minimum shutter / max gain to make an image of Jupiter?